Lucy Perry
Lucy Perry has 30 years of experience covering the U.S. construction industry. She has served as Editor of paving and lifting magazines, and has created content for many national and international construction trade publications. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she has a Journalism degree from Louisiana State University, and is an avid fan of all LSU sports. She resides in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband, who has turned her into a major fan of the NFL Kansas City Chiefs. When she's not chasing after Lucy, their dachshund, Lucy likes to create mixed-media art.
Load Weight Plays Key Role in Keeping Crane Jobs Safe
The first step in planning a lift is to determine the weight of the load. A true understanding of load limits is critical to safe construction crane operations. Crane load limits ensure the equipment, cargo and ground crew are protected, and are why the load weight should be calculated early in the job planning process....
Lift Planning Requires Strict Attention When Working On Wind Projects
Mobile cranes, especially crawlers and all-terrains, are critical components in wind turbine installation. When it comes to hoisting blades and tower sections into place, cranes provide the lifting capability contractors can't get with other machines....
Depreciation Bonus Begins Phase-Out
Contractors who correctly apply the concept of bonus depreciation have the advantage of maximizing their tax benefits while the rate is still relatively high. In 2023, the fed began a gradual phase-out of this tax provision, which allows businesses to deduct a significant portion of the cost of eligible assets in the year these assets are placed into service....
Construction Market Boosts Economy
Due in large part to the 2021 IIJA bill, the construction sector is adding jobs to the U.S. economy. In September alone, the industry added 25,000 jobs compared with August. In fact, from September 2023 construction gained 238,000 jobs, which equates to a 3 percent increase....
Modern V2X Tech Offers Info Truckers Still Like in Vintage CB Radios
The vehicle-to-everything (V2X) concept, on the DOT's drawing board for approximately 30 years, is being touted as a cutting-edge mechanism for U.S. highway safety and efficiency. The technology enables vehicles to communicate with each other as well as pedestrians, cyclists and roadside infrastructure....
Today's Security Tech Helps Contractors Combat Jobsite Theft
Construction theft is not new, but criminals are getting bolder in their efforts to make a buck on anything they can grab quickly at a job site, from the rig itself to the fuel and parts inside it. The pain of dealing with the theft is obvious, but other issues come into play, including damaged equipment leading to missed deadlines, increased insurance premiums and profits lost on a project....
Fleet Management Gets Smarter … Artificially
The business of fleet management is always improving as better, more efficient ways to maintain equipment and prevent downtime circulate among users. Research has found that equipment managers see the benefits of artificial intelligence as a tool to mitigate operational disruptions caused by escalating costs, safety regulations and sustainability and the demand for digital transformation....
AGC Finds Contractors Using Multiple Hiring Tools to Grow Workforce Numbers
The construction industry is no stranger to hard work. So, when it comes to workforce shortages, instead of throwing up their hands contractors are rolling up their sleeves. Companies have gotten clever in their strategies to overcome workforce issues....
Consistent Jobsite Safety Returns Lower Premiums, Satisfied Employees, More
Many construction contractors are overlooking a partner in their quest for jobsite safety: their insurers. Taking advantage of safety analysis programs provided by insurance carriers can result in immediate premium discounts for fleet liability plans....
Survey: Concerns Remain Over Buy America Requirements
Rising highway construction costs are draining more dollars from BIL funds allocated for federal transportation projects across the country. The FHWA admits that what can be purchased today with BIL funds earmarked in 2021 is markedly less that what was pledged....
Fed Funding to Increase U.S. Battery Production
In July, the Biden administration announced it would fund $1.7 billion for electric vehicle component production at 11 manufacturing plants across the country. In doing so, the fed made progress toward both ending the nation's dependence on China for batteries and meeting its 2030 goal of making 50 percent of all new U.S....
Big Cranes to Perform Heavy Work All Over U.S. This Summer
The number of big cranes at work across the country is down this year. But they are trending taller, as building projects are designed for higher heights and larger loads. This year opened with a continued downward trend in crane counts, according to the Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) crane count....
IIJA Report Card Reveals Mixed Grades
Two and a half years after the signing of the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, the grading for results is mixed. Some say the bipartisan IIJA will advance the nation's infrastructure industry for decades to come....
Powerful Data Intelligence Moves Construction Industry Light Years Forward
The transportation construction industry faces incredible challenges: As infrastructure ages, budgets tighten, the labor pool remains sluggish and projects increase in complexity, a true up-to-the-minute picture of physical assets is critical....
Prefab Process May Help Contractors Surmount Many Jobsite Challenges
The prefabrication concept is nothing new in the bridge sector. Temporary bridges have long provided a smart solution when routes are lost. But the prefab process is being incorporated into transportation construction in new areas....
Clean Energy Programs Need Long Look at Infrastructure, Regulation, Logistics
The Biden administration's clean hydrogen goals are in a state of hurry up and wait. The industry is champing to get started, but there may be too many challenges to advance the president's dream of building out the U.S....
Jobseekers Leveraging Career Market for In-Demand Skilled Trades
The construction industry remains wide open and inviting for just about anyone seriously considering a rewarding career opportunity. The jobs are plentiful and employers are hot to hire committed workers....
Make Eliminating Jobsite Distractions Company Safety Goal
Heavy equipment operation requires a clear mind and sharp vision. Distractions from electronic devices, fatigue or ground activity can put the operator, the employer and the project at risk. Marking Distracted Driving Month in April, OSHA urged contractors to have a play to prevent operator distraction while driving machinery on the job....
Growing Interest in Construction Careers Among Younger People Means Jobs Filled, Deadlines Met
The face of the skilled craft trade industry is getting younger. Literally. More younger people than ever before are entering the construction industry and driving down the average age of tradesmen and women....
States Put New Regs in Place for Tower Crane Safety
Washington State was poised to join other states regulating safety surrounding tower cranes. The state passed legislation in response to a deadly 2019 tower crane accident in Seattle, joining other major cities and states with tower crane regulations in place....
After Disasters, Bridge Reconstruction Times Vary Depending On Design, Location, More
Hours after the Frances Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed, there was already talk about rebuilding. The Biden administration pledged $60 million toward reconstruction, but projections have the bottom line at more than $400 million....
Proposed Budget Boosts IIJA Transportation Construction Programs
Citing its vision to protect and build on the progress made over the past three years, the Biden administration released its proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year. With almost $79 billion earmarked for highway, safety and transit programs, the budget also adds $9.5 billion to support the resilience, safety and sustainability of the nation's transportation network via the bipartisan infrastructure law....
Industry Calls FHWA's Arbitrary Emissions Performance Mandate an Overreach
The construction industry has declared its support of 22 states challenging the FHWA's greenhouse gas (GHG) performance rules, which went into effect this past December. The AGC and ARTBA believe the federal agency lacks the authority to impose performance measures and that FHWA has underestimated the administrative costs resulting from the mandate....
Even Construction Companies at Risk of Damage Caused By Deepfakes
Even in construction deepfakes are a very real, very costly issue. The result of a fake video or image could be lost income, employees walking off the job or even an indefinite halt to the entire project....
HD Trucking Sector Working to Meet Fed's Zero-Emission Ambitions
Heavy truck manufacturers are all-in on the Biden administration's zero-emissions goals. To prove it, a manufacturers coalition has launched a campaign to push zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure....
OSHA, CCO, NCCCO Foundation Partner to Reduce Risks for Workers
The construction crane industry is shoring up safety efforts to prevent accidents like those that have brought negative visibility to the market sector in the past few years. CCO and the NCCCO Foundation have formed an alliance with OSHA to keep the industry informed about OSHA's safety initiatives....
Inflation Has Contractors Taking Pass On Federally-Funded Transportation Projects
Construction contractors are between a rock and a hard place: What the Biden administration's IIJA has gifted with a hike in construction work, Buy America policies have taken away by making the work much pricier to perform....
Contractors Give Mixed Reviews of Their Prospects for 2024
Though public spending on road construction is projected to increase by double digits again this year, contractors are cautious about this year's business prospects. Given the continued challenges facing the construction industry in logistics logjams, labor shortages and rising interest rates, the overall mood is "decidedly mixed."ARTBA reported that the public highway, pavement and street construction sector is expected to see double-digit growth for the second year in a row....
Keeping Road Workers Alive: FHWA's Proposed Work Zone Rule Changes Get Mixed Response From Industry
FHWA and the road construction industry agree on one thing: The safety of crews in work zones is a priority. Ramped-up construction means the risk to highway workers is as great or greater this year than last....
OSHA Violations On Rise This Year, Fall Protection Tops List
For 13 years running now, fall protection has hamstrung contractors and their safety directors. During that time, it has become OSHA's most frequently cited infraction. It remains the most cited this year....
Tower Crane Numbers Across North America Holding Their Own
The number of cranes at work during the second half of this year has decreased approximately 10 percent. That decline is attributed to rising interest rates and the fact that projects are nearing completion....
Construction Industry Embracing, Adopting AI Technology at Record Clip
The construction industry is adopting AI technology at a record clip, with new applications being introduced and integrated daily. The verdict is still out on the practicality of many of these new systems, but the belief is if it works for one industry it could be modified for success in another....
Simple Changes Can Lead to Diesel Fuel Saving Solutions
Contractors know diesel fuel costs can kill the bottom line. Fleet operational budgets take a hit when business owners are hit with changes in supply and demand, seasonal fuel usage, transportation costs and unexpected operational costs....
AI Offers Big Benefits But With Potential for Big Risks, as Well
Artificial intelligence (AI) is in the construction industry to stay. Consumers use AI daily through their cellphones, while SIRI and Alexa make life more entertaining. However, AI carries some cautions for contractors ready to adopt....
Using Illuminating Strategies for Improved Jobsite Safety
Optimal lighting is crucial to a hazard-free and efficient construction site. The right lighting not only keeps workers safe, but it can streamline workflow, which saves on construction cost and time. In planning for the proper lighting of a job site, the best place to start is an assessment of your working conditions to set a baseline....
Crane Companies Have Vision of Green in New e-Machines
Electric-powered equipment is nothing new to job sites. Manufacturers have been developing battery-powered machines for years before the fed adopted its goal of zero emissions by 2050. But now mobile crane manufacturers are setting their own zero-emission goals and rolling out new models that use no diesel fuel....
FHWA Guidance Pushes for Rehab, But Leaves IIJA Funding Apps in States' Hands
In committing to a major, long-term investment in infrastructure, the federal government has left much of the decision about where to channel funding largely to states. The DOT said states can choose, with the hope that repairs would win out over expansions....
Industry Tries to Fill Jobs, But Incoming Workers Often Lack Basic Skills
The good news: The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is infusing the transportation and energy construction sectors with hundreds of billions of dollars. The not-so-good news: the lack of well-prepared workers is almost as great as the lack of workers, period....
Some DOTs Installing Solar Panel Fields Along Interstate Stretches
The dead space between stretches of interstate is coming alive across the country as states fill these neutral areas with solar panels. California is an early adopter of the concept, putting miles of otherwise empty expanses of land to good use....
Final BABA Rule Stipulates Domestic Made Construction Materials On Federal Projects
In mid-August, the White House issued final guidance on the controversial Build America Buy America Act (BABA). President Joe Biden aims to bolster the economy "from the middle down and the bottom up." With some exceptions, the word to the construction industry is to use American-made materials built by American workers....
Awareness, Planning Are Easy Ways to Save Your Crane, Crew
Two very different situations in Texas this year ended in fires that, while they didn't cause injury or death, did stop work and caused alarm in the local community. Crane end users, and the crew that works in and around the machines, must take the possibility of a rig fire seriously and have a prevention plan in place....
Equipment Financing On Uptick for Second Half of 2023
The equipment finance picture is encouraging, six months after a report indicated it would be a so-so year. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) reports that June new business volume was up 6 percent year-over-year....
OMB Hit With Questions Surrounding Build America, Buy America Act
While the construction industry awaits the Biden administration's final wording of its Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), contractors can study up on application of the rule. Meant to bolster the economy through the required use of domestically sourced construction materials, the rule is considered contradictory at best and confusing at worst....
Agency Begins Scrutinizing Federal Contractors for Compliance On IIJA Projects
Many of the infrastructure improvement projects that resulted from the mega bipartisan IIJA program will be under scrutiny this year by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). The agency is increasing its focus on companies receiving those IIJA federal monies....
Projects to Improve Highway Safety, Efficiency Increase Across Country
Funding for transportation projects through the bipartisan IIJA act is starting to flow at the state level. The amount of funding being doled depends on the state, its size and how much of a priority it puts on its infrastructure programs....
How to Exploit Benefits of Estimating, Takeoff Software
An erroneous project quote can cost a contractor plenty. If an estimator is wrong on the figures or off on the timeline, it can be corrected, but at what cost? The price of materials may cost the company in profits, and mistakes can cause the client to lose faith in the contractor....
Through the Lens — Cameras Help Entire Crane Team Safely See Big Picture
Safety and efficiency are at the heart of crane operations on a construction site. Improving and ensuring both are always the goals. Mitigating jobsite hazards is one benefit of a crane camera. Either on the tip of the boom or on the hook block, a camera is an essential safety device on any construction crane....
Construction Jobs Picture Looks Bright, But Where Are the Workers?
Construction employment is on an upward path and that's both good and bad. By extension, if jobs increase, so does the need for workers. And that's the continued challenge for the industry: contractors are beating the bushes for skilled labor to meet their labor needs....
Putting Spotlight On Apprenticeships
A convergence of factors may mean a boost for construction employers trying desperately to fill jobs. The cost of a college education and a rewrite of the National Apprenticeship Act are giving a boost to the industry's labor pool....
Bringing Sophistication to Construction Technology
A push for streamlined workflow and a strong commitment to safety on the job site have the construction industry adopting and integrating automation and technologies as fast as a new product or service pops up on the market....
Industry On a Mission to Protect Pavement, Trench Workers
The DOL and OSHA are laser-focused on highway worker safety this construction season. The deaths of six Maryland highway workers on the job recently prompted demands that the feds realize workers, too, are vulnerable road users....
Spreader Bars, Lifting Beams Make for More Efficient, Safer Crane Pick
Installing a below-the-hook lifting device can streamline a lift and ensure the safety of your crew and the load. The device is used to attach a load to a crane so the load can be moved safely and may involve slings, hooks and rigging hardware....
Funding sources, competition and thin margins can result in construction fraud. Contractors are often more vulnerable than owners because they juggle so many aspects of the project: materials, vendors, equipment, subcontractors, site safety and their own employees....
Manufacturers, Fuel Providers Want Seat at Emissions Regulation Table
Net-zero engine emissions is a construction industry goal, and everyone's got ideas on how to get there. Sectors of the industry are taking respective stands on federal emissions rulemaking. They are pushing for more of a voice in the rulemaking process while driving the fed to work harder at setting policy that both makes sense and benefits the environment....
Assessing Your Assets: Now Is Good Time to Optimize Fleet
With the bipartisan IIJA committing hundreds of billions to fund infrastructure projects over the next five years, now is the time for contractors to assess off-road fleets and start shopping for machine upgrades....
Playing Nice With OSHA: How to Avoid Fines for Jobsite Violations
The Department of Labor opened the year with an increase in the cost of penalties for employer violations. This means not only the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, but the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Wage and Hour Division and Office of Workers' Compensation Programs are all under the fee-hike umbrella....
Concrete Industry Working Toward Carbon Elimination
Marking a year of progress toward its goal of carbon neutrality, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) last fall noted the multiple pilot projects across the United States that have showcased emerging technologies to capture and reuse or store carbon....
Are Crane Operator Breaks Feasible?
A crane operator's comfort is crucial to a successful day at work. Discomfort to the point of tension is unhealthy, while relaxing to the point of drowsiness is a danger to the operator, crew and people on the ground....
No Quick-Fix for 'Fix-It-First' Policy
The transportation construction industry is squaring off against the FHWA in a two-year battle to get states to fix existing highways rather than expand the nation's road system with new ones. Framed as a "simple internal guidance document" in 2021, the "fix-it-first" memo has resulted in threats to challenge the rule in Congress....
Robotics: Automating the Job Site
The fragmented, specialized nature of construction will always require human involvement, but technology integration — specifically, robotics — is making construction sites even more productive....
Feds Incentivize Purchasing, Using Zero-, Low-Emission Vehicles
Trucking companies will get some much-needed help from the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which includes funding opportunities for the transition to zero-emission fleets. States are following suit....
'Every Day Counts' — DOT Program Expands Pool of Projects
The DOT has expanded its Every Day Counts (EDC) program from innovative infrastructure projects to tackling climate and safety. Seven projects were added to the list of 52 the department has supported in the decade-old federal initiative program....
Tower Crane Emergencies Require Level-Headed Action Plan
Safety is key when any crane is on a job site, but a tower crane requires safety managers to have a rescue plan in place. A medical emergency can occur any time on the job, even to a crane operator in a tower crane cab....
Infrastructure Bill … One Year Later
Mid-November marked the end of year one of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and ARTBA reviewed U.S. Treasury Department data on new project starts spawned by the bill. The road and bridge construction association reports that 29,000 new projects were supported by $53.5 billion in highway and bridge formula funds leveraged at the state level....
Keeping Construction Equipment Expenses in Check
Keeping machinery expenses in check is always a challenge for contractors. And as fuel costs continue to rise this year, the challenge seems even greater. Many heavy equipment fleet owners are doubling down on efforts to lengthen the life of their off-road machines, making a concerted effort to operate rigs in their care at top performance levels by utilizing fluid analytics....
Electric Machines Earning Their Place On Heavy Construction Sites
Cost, availability and operation have limited the proliferation of electric heavy construction equipment. Compact machines powered by electricity have been more visible on job sites over the past six years, whereas big rigs have presented more of a challenge for manufacturers to roll out....
OSHA Responds to Alarming Number of Trenching Deaths
After charting an alarming 22 trenching deaths the first half of this year, OSHA has made trench safety a national emphasis on inspections. In July, the agency announced it was launching enhanced enforcement initiatives with a goal of protecting workers from known hazards....
Construction Crane Numbers Rise Across North America
After taking a dip in 2021, the North American crane sector is experiencing a comeback. In its first quarter report released in April, the Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) Crane Index logged a 4.5-percent increase in cranes at work across the continent....
Buy Clean Initiative: Interagency Task Force Readies to Issue Instructions
Instructions for integrating President Joe Biden's Buy Clean Initiative are on the way, compliments of an interagency task force overseeing the procurement program. Agencies will receive the instructions, which prioritize the purchase of steel, concrete, asphalt and flat glass that feature lower emission levels in their manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance and disposal....
Concrete Sector Continues to See Project Delays, Production Cut-Backs
The supply shortages hitting the cement and concrete sector are consistent with nationwide construction materials bottlenecks, but are more severe in certain parts of the country. The Portland Cement Association (PCA) reports shortages in 18 states and attributes the issue to increases in global product demand and residential construction here at home....
High Demand for New, Used Construction Equipment Continues Despite Challenges
Emerging from a market coma worsened by the pandemic, the new and used equipment sectors are in the midst of a high-demand cycle. If the heavy machinery market can navigate its way through supply-chain and labor issues, it should experience smooth sailing through 2023 and beyond....
Preservation Methods Protect Construction Materials From Effects of Climate Change
Climate change is being blamed for accelerated infrastructure corrosion. Increases in temperature and humidity are weakening construction materials and eating away at America's roads and bridges. The transportation design and construction industry hopes with President Biden's major infrastructure bill their structural preservation efforts will gain traction....
ASME B30.5 Standard Sets Requirements for Mobile Crane Rigger Qualification
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has released an updated standard on mobile and locomotive cranes that includes a clear definition of the role a qualified rigger plays in a lifting operation....
DOT Pauses 'Buy America' Provision to Provide Relief to Already Strained Industry
Challenges in sourcing American construction materials, coupled with continued supply-chain issues and industry concerns, have pushed the DOT to temporarily suspend President Biden's Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements....
At the heart of the entry-level driver training rule, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is ensuring that first-time commercial drivers are regulated. The rule, which was kicked down the road for several years, went into effect early in 2022....
Biden PLAs, Apprenticeship Mandates Meet Industry Opposition
The Biden administration has a plan to create a highly skilled diverse workforce to complete infrastructure projects over the next decade. It involves diverting federal funds toward contractors and grant applicants who partner with labor organizations....
Airport Construction Funding Soars
In early June, the FAA announced awards of more than $5 million to enhance safety and accessibility at U.S. airports. The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) awards, which include 416 grants to airports across the country, will fund a variety of projects....
Vehicle Fueling Future — Will Jobs Follow Fed EV Infrastructure Blueprint?
In June, the FHWA released a blueprint for states to develop half a million charging stations, part of the Biden administration's goal of moving from gas- to electric-powered vehicles. The White House believes that in the process the plan will create jobs for steelworkers, electrical workers and laborers to build, install and maintain the network....
Three Easy Ways Your Crane Telematics System Can Boost Fuel Savings
The goal of telematics is to make life easier for the crane owner, said Marco Busconi, Terex rough-terrain crane engineering director. With the technology, equipment owners and managers can make more effective business decisions as they maintain a safe work environment for employees and site owners....
Simplifying Jobsite Safety: Tips to Reduce Workzone Accidents, Injuries
The top four causes of accidents on the construction site remain falls, strikes from objects, crushes between objects and electrical shock. Too often, though, workplace accidents and injuries can be attributed to the materials being used on the job site....
FHWA Updates National Bridge Inspection Rules
The FHWA has updated its National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) for highway bridges per requirements in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The updates incorporate technological advancements including drone use and repeal of the outdated Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program and the Discretionary Bridge Candidate Rating Factor....
Newer Asphalt Road Construction Technologies Gain Traction
The asphalt pavements we drive on daily are the result of decades of blood, sweat and tears, both in the field and in the lab. Experimentation with new and different materials; trial and error developing better, safer construction machinery; and the risks taken to put the finishing touches never stop....
Touching the Surface — Federal Highway, Bridge Funds Steadily Increase Due to IIJA
Funding for America's surface transportation needs has increased markedly over the past two years — that's due in large part to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). In 2021, approximately $53 billion in highway formula funds were made available to states....
Upgrading the Office: Today's Crane Cabs Cater to Operators' Comfort Levels
The condition of a crane cab says a lot about not only the crane owner but the crane operator. Crane owners can make running a rig a better experience with state-of-the-art operating systems and controls in the cab, but it's the operator's responsibility to ensure his or her "office" is tidy and uncluttered....
Is Right-to-Repair Order a Sleeper Issue for the Construction Industry?
Have you been following the Right-to-Repair debate? Though President Joe Biden's executive order limiting anti-competitive practices was meant to chiefly benefit consumers and farmers, it has implications for the construction sector....
Omnibus Appropriations Act Covers Transportation Under Funding Umbrella
Signing the $1.5 trillion 2022 omnibus spending bill into law in mid-March, President Joe Biden released the full benefits of last fall's bipartisan infrastructure and jobs act. Not only does highway work move forward with the spending bill's signing, but energy, maritime, transit, water and airport construction projects launch as well....
Aspiration Begins to Slowly Meet Construction Jobs Demand
The first two months of 2022 saw a sizable increase in payroll numbers in the construction industry. The AGC reports employment rose by 60,000 jobs between January and February, and hourly pay jumped its highest in nearly 40 years....
As Gas Taxes Dwindle From Electric Vehicle Use, Congress Looks for Solutions, Strategies
For all its faults, the Highway Trust Fund, funded through gas tax revenue, is the main financial support for America's roads and bridges. It hasn't increased with inflation — in fact, it hasn't increased in almost 30 years — even as road and bridge conditions deteriorate....
Fed Wants to Make Truck Driving More Attractive Career Field Choice
Like construction, trucking suffers a workforce shortage. The American Trucking Association (ATA) says 80,000 more truck drivers are needed. As a means to deal with supply-chain issues, the Biden administration is prioritizing trucking as a career field through apprenticeships and other recruiting programs....
Maximize Profits by Designating the Right Load Capacity for Your Job
Whether you own a crane rental house or you rent cranes for your business, just putting a machine to work is not enough to make money anymore. If you aren't operating the right rig for the job, you're missing a great opportunity to maximize profits....
Contractors Strategize How Best to Fill Job Openings
Two big construction industry outlook reports released in early January show promising construction industry stats where workforce is concerned. The supply-chain issues and labor shortages continue, yet respondents to both surveys said they plan to hire and increase staff this year....
Keeping Your Crews Safe On the Job
Construction workers on the ground are some of the most vulnerable. Annually, struck-by accidents account for many construction-related fatalities. Falling objects, equipment crushes and rollovers are among the causes....
OSHA Specifies Contractor Safety Responsibilities On Job Site
Who does OSHA look to first when multiple contractors are at work on a job site where safety is called into question? If your company has any control over the work process, the agency's Multi-Employer Worksite Policy specifies that the responsibility likely falls on you....
Contractors Brace for Boom in Renewable Energy Projects
The outlook for energy-related construction is a positive one. The renewable energy sector is preparing for a boom over the next five years and the fossil fuels industry is fighting hard to hold its place in the battle for power....
OSHA Director Keynotes NCCCO Foundation's Industry Forum … and Discusses What's New at the Agency
OSHA will publish an updated Compliance Directive on its revised crane operator certification standards next spring according to Scott Ketcham, director of OSHA's directorate of construction. Speaking at the annual NCCCO Foundation Industry Forum held in November, Ketcham teased forum attendees about topics in the upcoming directive as he discussed construction site violations, several related to crane operations....
Industry Ready to Dive Into Infrastructure Projects After Bill Passes
The ink is still drying on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) as the construction industry awaits bid-letting and Congress turns to the reconciliation budget bill. After a long, hard-fought battle for funding, the industry is ready to get to work on these broad-spectrum infrastructure projects, which will color the national construction picture for years to come....
States, Territories, D.C. Begin Lining Up Projects After Biden Signs Bill
A "patient approach to rebuilding American competitiveness through infrastructure" is how think tank Brookings Institution describes the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Though at $1.2 trillion it's less than President Joe Biden first proposed, the final breakdown amounts to a five-year funding span that is as broad as it is deep....
President Biden Signs $1.2T Infrastructure Bill — Here's What's in It
U.S. construction stands to gain mightily now that President Joe Biden has signed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. But the industry's collective sigh of relief may become nervous tapping as it prepares for work on much-needed infrastructure projects....
Experts Discuss Tips to Keep Cash Flowing
Cash flow is always an issue in the construction business, but this year it's magnified by the pandemic, materials prices and supply bottlenecks. This year's cash flow and payment report from Levelset found that only one in 10 contractors get paid in full....
Is Your Equipment Fleet Ready for Winter?
Is your construction fleet ready for winter? As cold weather arrives, it's critical that your heavy machinery runs when you want it to, even if that's not until the weather turns warm again. Will you operate your equipment through the colder months, or will you store it for the winter? That will dictate how you winterize it....
Ensure Your Rigging Plan Covers Every Aspect of a Crane Lift
Ask any "old timer" what you need to be a good rigger and you'll probably get the answer "common sense," said veteran rigging instructor Dan Cashin. He maintains that common sense as it applies to the rigger is the ability to think a job through safely, efficiently and economically....
Facing, Recovering From Economic Perfect Storm
The construction industry is doing its level best to deal with a rare triple punch: Unusually high and rising materials costs, a massive supply-chain bottleneck and decreasing demand for projects. The ripple effect of these challenges could weaken the contractor community, but a heavy dose of cooperation and communication is helping many to navigate the challenges....
Net-Zero Arrives: e-Revolution Picks Up Steam
Long before President Joe Biden made a nationwide goal of 100 percent clean energy and net-zero emissions by the year 2050, construction equipment manufacturers were doing their part. So were project owners, specifying eco-friendly machines on job sites....
Industry Wants Fed Help to Tackle Labor Shortages
If you believe the projections, the construction industry could see hundreds of thousands of new jobs as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The industry just needs fed buy-in for skilled worker training while it waits for shovels to hit the dirt on coming infrastructure projects....
Industry Awaits Its Trillion-Dollar Infrastructure Plan
The $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act opens the federal wallet to massive road, bridge, water, utility and broadband projects for years to come. But is the construction industry as a whole prepared to solve the country's infrastructure challenges in the turmoil of longtime labor shortages, gouging materials prices and the scarcity of heavy machinery?"The interesting thing about the construction workforce is that they're transient," David Martin, president of the Arizona Chapter of the AGC told a local radio station....
The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot about how the construction industry operates these days. It's driven crew members further apart from one another. It's also clogged the flow and hiked the prices of construction materials....
How to Be an A+ Crane Signal Person
The signal person is one of the most critical roles on a construction site where a crane is in operation. The qualified signaler prevents accidents, ensures solid lift and placement of the load and keeps everyone safe on the ground....
Focusing On Hazard Communication Standards
The Department of Labor's focus for the second half of 2021 will be on a laundry list of regulations that could directly impact contractors in the construction industry. Feeling the effects of a federal agenda that includes 26 OSHA regulations, the business of construction may look a lot different by next year....
Elevating Hard Hats — Protective Safety Helmets Deserve Respect, Care
Two major construction feats, the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge, marked the first times an employer mandated the use of hard hats on the job. The iconic head protection has come a long way since, and in 2017 a contractor first required helmets over hard hats because of the high rate of brain injuries and falls in the construction industry....
Infrastructure Plan Could Boost Construction
Contractors around the country are hoping that President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan will mean a boost to the U.S. economy, a plethora of jobs and demand for construction machines, parts and equipment-related supplies and services....
Filling the Labor Pool — Post-Pandemic, Construction Industry Wants Workers to Jump in
Emerging from the coronavirus pandemic, contactors are struggling to fill crews. Construction employment dropped by 20,000 from April to May, the third decline in the previous four months. That's further challenged the industry, which for years has faced a stagnant labor pool....
Crane Safety by the Numbers — Lifting Projects Dictated by OSHA Rules, ASME Standards
The list of rules and regulations governing lifting and rigging procedures is long and varied. The applicable guidance depends on the type of lift and whether it's being performed as part of a construction, general industry or military project....
What Can Contractors Do to Protect Company Data, Assets From Hackers?
Challenge-junkie cybercriminals have moved on from hacking personal information. Now corporate intelligence, infrastructure and even heavy equipment are targets. Though currently cybersecurity threats are incidental in the construction industry, the potential for widespread damage exists....
Holes On Job Sites Are Sometimes-Overlooked Safety Hazards
Deaths from falls lead fatalities in construction. Construction workers just as often die from fall-through hazards as they do from work at elevations. In 2018, OSHA logged the preventable deaths of 320 workers....
Industry Urges Workers to Get COVID Vaccine
Right now, the construction industry is tackling critical coronavirus vaccine issues: Should employees have the vaccine or not, and does it matter? Can an employer mandate employees be vaccinated before entering a job site? How can an employer successfully overcome vaccine hesitancy?Deemed essential by the federal government, construction workers have been among priority groups for the coronavirus vaccine....
Industry Battles Cost, Supply, Labor Issues Amid Construction Boom Gains
The good news: Construction project bottlenecks are loosening, work is ramping up and the industry can start to breathe a general sigh of relief. The bad news: The cost of construction materials is going through the roof....
Working With Your Crane Provider to Match the Rig to the Job
When 95 percent of its fleet is working every day, that's good for the crane company. But it makes for a chaotic workload for estimators and dispatchers, the folks who have to fit the crane to the job....
Diversity Drives Wearables Technology in Construction
Worker safety is a major component of the construction equation, and COVID-19 has made it even more critical. Rapidly shifting demographics on the job site demand modifications to personal protective equipment in the form of comfort, ergonomics and cutting-edge technology....
Embracing Industry Careers — Women Gaining Ground in Titles, Respect, Awareness
When her husband became ill in the late 1850s, Emily Roebling served as field engineer and took the Brooklyn Bridge to its completion. She also made history as one of the first documented women in construction....
Tips for Working Around Overhead Power Lines
Electrocutions resulting from contact between a crane and overhead power lines is still a leading cause of death on job sites. The key to safety around power lines is awareness, and an experienced operator knows to assume all lines are energized until he's confirmed otherwise....
Versatile Telecrawlers Tackle Jobs in Many Construction Settings
The utility market has long known teleboom crawler cranes are workhorses in the field. They can easily navigate sketchy terrain, hike steep slopes and coast over soft ground. But their abilities to pick and carry a full load chart, work on out-of-level conditions and hold various attachments are drawing the interest of contractors in many construction sectors....
Industry Lauds Biden's Supply-Chain Review
In late February, President Joe Biden signed another executive order, this one focusing on America's supply chains. The goal is to develop more resilient and secure supply chains for critical goods disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic....
Construction Associations Consider Generic COVID Workplace Guidance Redundant, Impractical
Both ARTBA and the AGC have concerns about the late-January executive order President Joe Biden signed regarding safe workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance follows Biden's request that OSHA decide by March 15, 2021, whether an emergency temporary standard (ETS) is needed....
Multi-Employer Job Sites Hum When All Team Members Follow the Same Game Plan
Looking for guidance on best practices in construction operations? All construction-related activities are covered in the ANSI/ASSP A10 standards series. One of the newest volumes, the A10.33-2020, Safety and Health Requirements for Multi-Employer Projects, provides a roadmap for choreographing a shared construction project....
Biden's Executive Orders Has Construction Industry Concerned
President Joe Biden signaled changes in climate and energy policies when he signed a slew of executive orders on his first day in office. Though some consider this a positive move toward reducing global warming and carbon footprint, others see it as adversely affecting the construction sector and a threat to the economy, which President Biden campaigned to support....
Latest COVID-Related Stimulus Package Includes Revised PPP Loan
Last month, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act (the "CAA") federal stimulus package. During the week of Jan. 10, 2021, the Small Business Administration (SBA) launched a new round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans tailored to small businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic....
What to Expect From New Administration
The construction industry could be in for a bumpy ride as the U.S. economy recovers from the coronavirus and the recession tied to it. Dodge Data & Analytics calls for a 4 percent regain in 2021, after a 14 percent loss this year....
As Vaccine Arrives, Keep Track of Risk Management
As construction contractors work through the coronavirus pandemic, many are keeping an eye on the pandemic's effect on their risk management policies. The basic question: What will COVID's impact be on insurance? Get ahead of the curve now to avoid a hitch in commercial coverage next year....
Trench Box Installations Require Knowledge of OSHA Safety Rules
One of the most beneficial and tricky devices used in specialty construction, trench boxes have obvious benefits. They can hold up their end in all types of soil conditions, but they can be a bear to install and move....
After a Tough Year, Heavy Machinery Sales Will Pick Up in 2021 … Beyond
Despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis and this year's economic downturn, Association of Equipment Manufacturers member CEOs are optimistic about their industry. In the third AEM member survey conducted since the pandemic started, 75 percent of respondents predict industry-wide revenue growth through October 2021....
Working With a Heavy Hauler to Transport Your Crane to the Job Site
When crane manufacturers promote the features and benefits of a new crane model, "easy transport" is always on the list. With road weight and traffic laws set by local and state transportation departments, crane owners need to know they can get the machine to the job site in the safest, most efficient way possible....
Protecting Your Business With Pre-Construction Site Analysis
Property damage claims against construction contractors, prompted by construction operations, are common. One of the biggest generators of property claims for structures near construction sites is vibration damage....
ARTBA Strives to Safeguard Workers From Accidents, Injuries
Highway construction workers are always at risk on the job. OSHA reports the leading cause of highway construction worker injuries and fatalities is contact with construction vehicles, objects and equipment....
Tips to Save Money When Fueling Job Sites
Your business could benefit in a range of operational savings, including your fuel budget, if you can upgrade to newer-model machinery and trucks. One lifecycle analysis has shown tremendous per-truck savings just by upgrading to a 2021 model....
Industry Hopes for Quick Action on FAST Act Extension
The transportation construction industry anticipates the one-year extension of the FAST Act surface transportation authorization, which is set to expire at the end of September. Passage of the extension looks likely after Congress reached a tentative agreement on Sept....
The coronavirus is a fact of life on the construction job site this year, and contractors have been forced to change the way they complete projects as a result. It is an ongoing challenge as the industry conditions itself to new approaches to work and personal safety....
Keeping Up-to-Date on Heavy-Duty Clean Air Regs
Got heavy-duty trucks? Federal and state environmental agencies have your assets on their radars. Critical policy programs such as the Cleaner Trucks Initiative, and California's Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus rule and the Advanced Clean Trucks Initiative are affecting the trucking side of the heavy construction industry despite the COVID-19 pandemic....
Renewed Interest in Energy Buoys Outlook
As American Wind Week 2020 kicked off with a tribute to the wind industry workforce the week of Aug. 9, the outlook for the renewable energy sector as a whole is strong. A multitude of both wind and solar projects as well as retooling plans launched this summer across the country have buoyed the heavy machinery industry, creating both temporary and ongoing construction jobs....
Evaluating Crane Operator Evaluations
To assess the degree of understanding and compliance of OSHA's 2018 crane operator qualification rule, and to gauge their approach to operator evaluation, the NCCCO Foundation surveyed crane operator employers....
ABC Technique Proves to Be as Easy as 1-2-3
Modular, prefabricated bridge designs have proven to be a critical component of accelerated bridge construction (ABC). The FHWA favors the ABC bridge construction technique especially in the design of highway bridges that feature varied spans, skew angles and construction materials....
Industry Lauds Easing Hours of Service Regs
Touting its revised Hours of Service (HOS) regulations as providing drivers more flexibility, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a final rule in May. It's designed to ease HOS rule compliance and takes effect Sept....
House Bill Boosts Transportation Spending, More
The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the $1.5 trillion Moving Forward Act, a massive funding package meant to regenerate America's transportation infrastructure as it gives a shot in the arm to health care, airports, clean energy, broadband, education, and drinking water....
Smart Move: Embracing New Tech for an Edge
Implementing new technology into construction is a smart decision, but it's a process. The technology must present tangible value from Day 1, and it has to make sense for the job site. It must work as well in the field as it did at the tradeshow....
Hydraulic Fluid Leaks, Poor Ground Conditions Contribute to Crane Outrigger Failure
The two biggest factors that contribute to crane failures are fluid leakage in the outrigger hydraulic cylinder and ground conditions, or the supporting structure for the outrigger pads. Ensuring that your crane is operating on firm, level and drained ground per OSHA's Cranes & Derricks in Construction rule, starts with a proper inspection of the crane and the job site....
Retraining Vs. Recruiting in the Times of COVID
Employing skilled labor is a process: Identifying potential workers, recruiting them and training them. The industry has dedicated resources to attracting junior-high and high-school students for careers in construction....
Fast PPP Loan Approvals Helping Contractors
The Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program has been a shot in the arm for construction businesses, and a lifeline for a few. The forgivable loans, made available in two rounds during the month of April, guarantee companies can make payroll, keep their staff working and meet project deadlines....
ConExpo 2020 Provides the Backdrop for New Crane Intros
Rough-terrain crane buyers are on the hunt for bigger machines, in the 100-ton and 120-ton classes specifically. Crane manufacturers serving the North American market heard their customers loud and clear, and took advantage of ConExpo 2020 to unveil new models....
CARES Act Benefits Airport, Transit, Medical Projects
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed by President Trump is a shot in the arm for parts of the U.S. construction industry. The $2 trillion funding package passed by Congress in late March designates billions of dollars for potential construction of hospitals, airports and transit systems....
In the Trenches: How to Avoid a Costly, Deadly Accident
Did you know that in 2019, excavation and trenching violations were some of the most-expensive OSHA citations? Among the most dangerous construction-related activities, trenching accidents represented the tenth highest penalty issued by the federal agency last year....
How to Reshape Our Country's Surface Transportation Financing Outlook
With the COVID-19 health crisis front and center, many people in the heavy construction industry see a U.S. Congressional stimulus package as a means of funding the nation's roads and bridges. Efforts to bolster an economy buckled by the coronavirus, as well an uptick in non-traditional funding partnerships, present opportunities to reshape our country's surface transportation financing picture....
Stopping Construction Equipment Heists
Heavy equipment theft rates track with the overall economy, and 2019 was a good year. Many major cities are in the midst of building and road projects, and construction sites are magnets for machinery heists....
Fire Crews Battle Wildfires With Big Guns
The National Interagency Fire Center logged at least 48 large fires in 12 states last summer in the United States. When conditions set the stage for fire disaster, heavy equipment helps battle blazes. Putting in fire breaks to slow fire advancement, creating a safe area where firefighters can conduct burnout operations, and clearing out damaged trees are just some of the ways heavy machinery is necessary to fighting wildfires in the United States and abroad....
Lowering Overhead With Cloud-Based Apps
Ever more stringent government regulations that demand concise and accurate documentation of heavy equipment performance are making equipment inspections even more critical. Though pencil and paper are still tools-of-choice for many in the shop and the field, the construction equipment sector is rapidly adopting the use of apps via tablet, portable electronics and even cellphone, for the sake of efficiency....
Jobsite Safety Starts With Proper Tools, Training, Attention
With a primary goal of "correcting workplace safety and health hazards and ensuring compliance," OSHA has raised its civil penalties by about 1.8 percent for workplace safety and health violations. The new penalty amounts take effect immediately, applying to any penalties assessed after Jan....
Crane Tracking Onsite and Elsewhere
Telematics products have proven to be excellent tools for construction crane fleet asset management — when users effectively maximize the return on their investment. Though technology adoption is high, functionality is low because crane owners are only skimming the surface of what these systems can do....
Better Living Through Cleanliness — Healthy Hydraulics Systems Key to Life of Heavy Equipment
When it comes to heavy equipment, reliable hydraulic system performance is critical to productivity and profitability. A proper understanding of the hydraulic fluid, and its role in the efficient performance of the hydraulic systems of equipment used in off-highway, construction and utility work is the basis of optimizing the contractor's maintenance dollar, say hydraulics experts....
Economists Make 2020 Construction Predictions
Construction economists are not sugarcoating their outlook on the industry in 2020. The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (ELFF) forecasts slower growth in the economy next year, and predicts equipment investment will be weak....
Crane Industry Tackling OSHA Operator Evaluation Rules
On December 10, 2018, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) made its certification requirement for construction crane operators official. To be fully qualified, an operator must be trained and evaluated by his employer to make sure he can safely operate his assigned crane in the environment where he'll be working....
Who Should Perform Monthly Crane Inspections?
Crane inspections are required before each shift, monthly and annually. Daily crane inspections, a basic "kick-the-tires walk-around," can be conducted by the crane operator while comprehensive annual inspections are conducted by a third-party crane inspection and certification service or a qualified person....
Assimilating Simulated Crane Training
Advancements in crane operator training simulators run neck and neck with the industry's adoption of simulator technology. The steps forward in system sophistication were incremental during the span since the technology was introduced to the crane sector in the 1990s....
Antsy for ANSI? Here's What You Need to Know About the New Standards
With just a few months to go before the new ANSI A92 standards are officially in effect, the access industry is still in preparation mode. Aerial manufacturers are putting the final touches on new machine design and safety features and, along with professional organizations, are dedicating time and energy to training for best MEWP operating practices....
An Eye on Rigging Gear: Complacency Equals the Enemy
Last year, ASME revised its Slings standard to not only include an outline of rigger responsibilities, but guidelines on inspecting slings in special service. Though essential to the crane job site, rigging gear can get overlooked every day by the very crew members responsible for inspecting it and making sure it is in good working order....
Putting a Focus on Distractions
Is staying focused an issue for crane operators? It depends on so many factors, say crane operator trainers and certification sites. The job site, the employer, the task at hand, even the operator him- or herself, all play a role....
Cranes Continue HOT Streak … and Not Just in Seattle
Though Seattle has led the United States in tower crane numbers for three years now, utilization in this particular crane sector is moving at a good clip all across the country. End users like today's tower crane models for the time and money saved with safe and easy installation, as well as the fact that with a panoramic view of the job site, operators can see exactly where they're placing the load....
